According to the American Lung Association (ALA), 42.3 million Americans are affected by asthma and/or hay fever, generally triggered by allergies or airborne allergens such as pet dander, mold, pollen and dust mites. As a result, it is important to do everything possible to improve the air we breathe inside our homes, ventilation and cleanliness being two major factors that affect indoor air quality.

According to the Carpet & Rug Institute (CRI), high-performance vacuum cleaners have a significant impact on improved indoor air quality. Vacuum cleaners also play a significant role in the life of your carpet, with certain vacuums removing and containing soil more effectively than others, helping the carpet last longer. CRI recognizes these vacuums with its Green Label Testing Program.

The Green Label Testing Program focuses on three key performance factors. First, vacuums must remove a set quantity of soil from carpet in four passes. Second, and perhaps most important to indoor air quality, is the vacuum's ability to contain dust. Vacuums must not release more than 100 micrograms of dust particles per cubic meter of air, taking into account dust released by the brush rolls and through the filtration bag. Lastly, the CRI tests the carpet appearance retention, as vacuums should minimally affect the appearance of a carpet over the course of a year.

Central vacuum systems capture dust, dirt and allergens without stirring up microscopic particles and re-emitting them into interior spaces. "Central vacuums are up to five times more powerful than normal portable vacuums and do not recirculate any particles back into the home," says Christian Reick-Mitrisin of Nutone.

NuTone Central Vacuum Systems are Green Label-certified and contain High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, meaning dust and bacteria are trapped better than ever before. Two different systems are available-bagged and cyclonic versions. The cyclonic version contains an easy-to-clean filter, which can be easily accessed through the door panel.

The bagged version contains the easy-on/easy-off snap-release bag change mechanism that closes the opening immediately upon removal, so what goes in stays in.

"NuTone Central Vacuum Systems are made of lightweight polymer designed to resist rust and dents," says Reick-Mitrisin. "The vacuum canisters also provide quiet cleaning because the power units contain an internal sound suppression system and are typically located in the garage, basement or utility room and not in the general living area."